Plant-forward eating is a dietary lifestyle that emphasizes consuming more vegetables and fruits, along with nuts, seeds, whole grains and legumes. While it does not entirely eliminate animal products, the focus is on finding creative ways to incorporate more plants into meals and snacks.
For those looking to eat more plants, this recipe for plant-based walnut “meat” is simple and delicious. It’s perfect for those who want to cook plant-forward meals using clean, wholesome ingredients. This recipe will easily become a staple in your plant-forward cuisine and a favorite of family members with a wide range of dietary needs — from vegetarians to carnivores. It’s, of course, nutty and meaty, full of flavor with a great texture that emulates ground beef.
Meatballs for Italian Night
Savor classic Italian eating using a plant-based, healthy recipe. These California Walnut Meatless Meatballs are made with a different walnut meat base, combining the familiar tomato paste and garlic with the flavors of walnuts, red pepper, Parmesan cheese and Italian seasonings. Once you’ve formed the mixture into meatballs, simply bake until they’re firm and cooked through. Toss with your favorite sauce and pasta or enjoy their cheesy, peppery goodness on its own.
These are just a few of our favorite ideas for enjoying California walnut meat. Be sure to visit our recipe page for many more ways to use walnuts and eat plant-forward, and check out the Have Aa Plant®: The Plant-Forward Eating Guide, written in collaboration with Produce for Better Health Foundation.
A Twist on Taco Tuesday
How to Make Walnut “Meat” Alternative – California Walnut “Chorizo” Crumble
- Combine walnuts and beans in a food processor. Pulse until coarsely chopped.
- Add oil and fresh herbs and spices to the mixture and pulse again until mixture is finely chopped and resembles ground meat.
- Add “chorizo” mixture to skillet and cook for 10 minutes or until mixture is nicely browned and resembles ground meat.
- Enjoy!
Get the full recipe with a list of ingredients.
The walnut meat base can take any culinary direction you desire. Here’s some recipe inspiration to get you going.
Turn taco night into a plant-forward occasion with Walnut “Chorizo” Tacos with Pickled Vegetables. This dish is a fresh take on traditional meat tacos, combining walnuts and black beans for your taco filling. Then, it’s simply seasoned with a variety of tantalizing flavors like ancho chili, chipotle and cumin, and topped with a squeeze of fresh lime and pickled radish for a beautiful finishing touch.
Nothing Beats an All-American Burger
This California Walnut Omega Burger is hearty, filling and gets its name from its omega-3 content. Did you know that walnuts are THE omega-3 nut? That’s right, they have more than any other nut (2.5g/oz). This recipe combines these good fats with nutritious plant-based ingredients like garbanzo beans, quinoa and chia seeds for a hearty burger that will fool all the meat lovers in your life.
